Draft-equalizer.



PATENTED JULY 23, 1907.

N. A. RODNESS.

DRAFT EQUALIZBR. APPLIQATION FILED ocma, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STAES P aEENT enrich.

NELS. A. RODNESS, OF OLARKFIELD, MINNESOTA.

DRAFT-E QUALIZER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NELS. A. RODNEss, a citizen of the United States,residing at Clarkficld, in the county of Yellow Medicine and State ofMinnesota, have invented a new and useful Equalizer; and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a new and useful equalizer, the object thereofbeing to produce a device of this nature, which is simple, durable andinexpensive to manufacture, and one which equalizes the draft at allpoints.

The primeval object is to provide an efficient device of this naturecomprising a beam to which a plurality of pulleys are attached, overwhich a suitable chain travels, which chain also travels over thepulleys carried by the swingletrees; these swingletrees are adapted tobe detached from the equalizer, if desired, after which the slack of thechain may be taken up, by the novel means carried by one end of the saidbeam.

This invention comprises further objects and combinations of elementswhich will be hereinafter more frilly described, shown in theaccompanyingdrawings, and the novel features thereof will be pointed outby the appended claims.

To obtain a full and correct understanding of the details ofconstruction, combinations of elements, features and advantages,reference is to be had to the hereinafter set forth description and theaccompanying drawings in connection therewith, wherein Figure l is a topplan view of the equalizer showing four swingletrees attached thereto.Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the equalizer showing one of the swingletrees removed with the slack of the chain taken up. Fig. 3 is aperspective view of one end of the beam of the equalizer showing themeans for holding the chain after the slack therein has been taken up.Fig. 4 is a detail view of one end of the chain showing the means foranchoring the chain.

Making renewed reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein similarreference characters indicate corresponding parts in the severalillustrations, by figures, 1 designates the beam of the equalizer, towhich is fixed the clips 2, which clips are fastened thereto by means ofbolts 3, as shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 2; these clips carry thepulleys 4, over which the draft chain 5 travels, which draft chain alsotravels over the pulleys G journaled in the clips 7 carried by theswingletrces S, as will be apparent from an exami nation of Figs. 1 and2. This draft chain is provided,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 13,1906. Serial No. 338,823.

Patented July 23, 1907.

in the slot 16, formed in one face of the beam 1, the

rear portion of this slot is enlarged and is circular in contour, asshown at 17, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the accompanyingdrawings; the draft chain is drawn through the enlarged portion of theslot 16, when the slack thereof is taken up, as will be clearly evidentfrom an examination of the drawings.

The beam 1 is provided with a clip 18, to which is formed an integralhook 19, which is adapted to engage any suitable clevis, carried by avehicle, as will be apparent.

It will be manifest, from the disclosure of the drawings, that by anequalizer embodying the features of the invention, one or more horsesmay travel ahead of the others, thereby equalizing the draft, andmaintaining an evenness at all points upon the draft beam, therebyavoiding jerking and jarring, which is so often experienced.

It is to be understood that various changes and modifications may beemployed in the construction and embodiment hereof, combinations offeatures, and elements, without in any way departing from the spirit andscope of the invention covered by the claims hereof; it being understoodthat whatever variations or modifications are employed must fall withinthe scope of the appended claims.

From the foregoing, the essential features, elements and the operationof the device, together with'the simplicity thereof, will be clearlyapparent, and, when manufactured in accordance with the invention, aninexpensive market will be easily obtained therefor.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new anduseful by the protection of Letters Patent, is:-

1. In an equalizer, a draft beam and chain, an en gaging element, saidbeam having means with which said engaging element engages, said beamhaving a slot through which said chain is adapted to move.

2. In an equalizer, a draft beam and chain, means for holding one end ofthe chain when the slack therein is taken up. said beam having a slotthrough which the chain moves.

3. In an equalizer, a draft beam and chain, an en gaging element, saidbeam having spring hook devices with which said engaging elementengages.

4. In an equalizer, a draft beam and chain, means for adjustably holdingone end of the chain, said beam having a slot through which said chainmoves.

5. In an equalizer. a draft beam and chain, an engaging element carriedat one end of said chain, said beam having spring hook devices withwhich said engaging" element engages, said beam having; means throughwhich said chain moves.

(ii in an equalizer, a draft beam and chain, an en gaging element, saidbeam having spring hook devices with which said engaging clementengages, said beam having a 10 slot through which said chain inoves.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

NELS. A. RODNESS.

Witnesses C. S. OALoLL, 1, 1e, I A-(minim.

